"Aiming for Pensacola” Riding the Underground Railroad in the Deep South
July 23, 2009: Pictures - Page 1             July 27, 2009: Pictures - Page 2

photo:  Dr. Matthew Clavin  Dr. Matthew Clavin of the University of West Florida,  our workshop director, welcomes our group of 40 educators to Pensacola. This was a very exciting year for Pensacola as they celebrated their 450 year anniversary.  In 1559, Spanish explorer, Don Tristan de Luna de Arellano landed on the shores of what is now Pensacola, Florida and claimed the land for Spain. The King and Queen of Spain visited Pensacola this year to mark this historical anniversary.	photo: Julee Panton Julee Panton, a free black woman of color, lived in Pensacola, Florida, at a time when slavery was legal. A free woman, Panton earned a living by making candles and by baking. Many people believe that Panton spent the money she earned to buy the freedom of enslaved African Americans. When they were free, she helped them set up better lives.	photo: Julee Cottage Julee Cottage, located in the downtown historical village, is dedicated to the memory of Pensacolian Julee Panton who once owned the cottage in 1805. Visitors here learn about the rich African-American history of Pensacola.
photo: Julee Cottage parlor and bedroom Here are two rooms located in the Julee Cottage, one of the oldest houses in Pensacola still standing.	photo: St Michael's Cemetery St. Michael's Cemetery, in Pensacola, is an open-air museum that reflects the rich history of Pensacola. We can learn so much about Pensacola’s diverse history and its society by visiting St. Michael’s Cemetery.  This tombstone marks the burial site of Salvador Pons, the first Black mayor of Pensacola.	photo:  Mrs. Kopecki at the Negro Fort The Negro Fort, located about 30 miles from the Gulf Coast near the community of Sumatra, was built by the British during the War of 1812.  The post was called the "Negro Fort" by the U.S. Government. Inside its walls were 300 African American men, women and children and around 20 Choctaw warriors. Some were free residents of Florida, but others had escaped from slavery and came here to live in freedom. On July 27, 1816, at the culmination of an invasion of Spanish Florida, a pair of U.S. Navy gunboats attacked the fort . It was a major moment in black history and one of the most tragic events in the history of the United States.
photo:  Dr. Steve Belko Dr. Steve Belko lectures on the history of Fort Negro to our group.	photo:  Fort Negro Site Nothing remains of the original structure of Fort Negro and very little remains of the cemetery where the 270 victims of the explosion were buried.	photo:  Fun at Destin Beach Our group enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner and some entertainment on the Destin Beach Pier.